Sample Data Collection Tools
Data by classroom schedule
In Data by Classroom Schedule, you are marking occurrences of the target behavior right on the classroom schedule. Because each column represents a day of the week, you can easily see patterns across the week. You can summarize at the end of each week on the right hand side or at the end of each day at the bottom of each column. For more information on this type of data collection, you can go to this document.
Frequency data
Frequency data tells you how many times the targeted behavior occurred during a time period. You can then compare over time. You can compare the actual number of times or you can average and compare averages.
Taking data using a task analysis
In this data collection method, tasks are divided up into steps. You record the student's performance at each step.
Intensity and Duration Data
Duration is how long a behavior continues. In the example above, the column lists how long each episode lasts. The daily episodes are averaged so that the changes in duration can be compared over time. This form also collects information about intensity of behavior episodes. Using a scale (in this instance) of 1-5 with 5 being the most intense, each behavior episode is rated. Again, the episodes are averaged daily and compared as daily averages. This form also collects frequency data by counting how many angry looking episodes the student exhibits.
Calendar Data
Calendar data is a form of data collection in which a team records daily (usually on a standard calendar page) how the day went. Typically, this information is described as a number on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the best day ever (for that particular child) and a 5 being the worst possible day (for that particular child). Prior to collecting this information, the team determines what constitutes a 2, 3, or 4 day so that the assignment of numbers can be as reliable as possible. The whole day, rather than just one portion of the day (for example, the temper tantrum portion) is considered as you choose the number you use to describe the day. Some teachers go one step further. They divide the day into sections so that there is a morning score and an afternoon score (middle and high school teachers can divide by periods).
Anecdotal Data
While anecdotal data can be helpful, it can also be difficult to comb out information about behavior. It helps to create a specific anecdotal form that helps keep the data collection focused on answering the key questions. In the example above, the team is looking at triggers, behaviors, and possible messages. In the example below, the team is writing down what went wrong with the assignment (they already knew that trouble with assignments was a trigger).
